The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has slammed activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, for calling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” on social media.
In an August 25 tweet, Sowore criticized Tinubu for claiming during a visit to Brazil that corruption no longer exists under his administration. Sowore called the statement a blatant lie, tweeting:
“This criminal @officialpbat actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
Following the tweet, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) filed defamation charges against Sowore, accusing him of spreading false information in violation of the Cybercrimes and Terrorism Prevention laws.
The DSS also asked social media platforms Meta and X (formerly Twitter) to take down the post, labeling it a national security threat.
Sowore refused, calling the DSS actions an attempt to silence critics.
Speaking at the flag-off of the Arterial Road N1 project in Wuye, Abuja, on Thursday, Wike said Sowore was fortunate to have a President like Tinubu who believes in the rule of law.
“In this country, people go on social media and say the President is a criminal and nothing happens,” Wike said.
“No matter how people criticize leaders like Trump in the U.S, have you ever heard an American call their President a criminal publicly? Here, people say anything and walk free. You’re lucky to have a President who respects the rule of law. Others might not be so tolerant.”
Wike also addressed the ongoing strike by the FCT branch of the Association of Resident Doctors.
He stated that the 2025 budget, approved in July by the National Assembly, includes ₦25 billion for the health sector.
He acknowledged that the doctors are demanding payment of allowances and recruitment of more staff, but insisted that due process must be followed.
“People say we focus on roads and neglect health. That’s not true. We’ve allocated ₦25 billion to health in the 2025 capital budget,” Wike explained.
“They say allowances are unpaid and doctors haven’t been employed. I told the Civil Service Commission to go ahead, I’m not a doctor. Let them do their job. But everything must follow procedure.”
He said while demonstrations are permitted in a democracy, they won’t stop government activities.
“I told the SSS to let them protest. But no one can stop me from doing my job. Nobody will blackmail me.”
Wike also warned civil servants against using government platforms for political agendas.
“If you want to join a political party, go ahead. But don’t use the civil service to play politics. When the time comes, face me politically, not bureaucratically.”
